Hello amigos and welcome back to another chapter of Book I: Burning Cold. Today I have an special note to make... well, a few of them actually. First thing first, this book (story) will be about the first season of each anime with my OCs in it. Second; Joseph's kind will be revealed soon, but if you have any guess feel free to share it. Third; the two groups WILL meet, but probably won't happen until Book II. Fourth, check out the Prologue of this story, I updated it now that I got slightly improved my writing skills. I hope you like it.
That will be all for now, and without more delay here it is today's chapter.
-[The pages belonging to this chapter are separated from the book, as if they had been added at a later date.]-
Some weeks ago, we were involved in a mission that required spending much time in surveillance. That implied being cooped up in a hotel room with other team members and on that occasion was Tsukune, Kurumu and Koneko. During the time we spent had plenty of time to share stories among ourselves while we watched our target (from whom I can not to discuss much about, except maybe the fact that he was a stray vampire trying to lead a gang of thieves in a human city... oops my bad :) ) and one story in particular caught my attention. Tsukune began to tell about an event that happened before formally I introduce myself to them; I understand it happened while I was on the meeting with the Gremory group for the first time. This incident, which involved mermaids, was too related to the story that I keep in my journals and I thought it would give more context to it, so I wrote it down and I added as an annex between the corresponding entries.
Personally I have good relations with the mermaids, I'm still welcome at some of their settlements. Their hospitality is legendary among the non-human races and their beauty is something worth noting (after all I fell from the cliff near Yokai Academy just to get a mermaid's phone number, but that's for another occasion). Through history they have been famous for make ships to run aground in the human world, including the myth of Odysseus and a little incident involving a group of mermaids and Jason and the Argonauts. Luckily for them their relationships with the humans are getting better, thanks to the efforts that the Dark Lords and the alphas are doing in cooperation with the human leaders to maintain the peace.
Anyways, I'll begin this story and give the point of view of Tsukune and Kurumu when the story requires so.
-Class 1-C Homeroom, Yokai Academy; Morning-
The day Velkan left the monster realm in order to meeting with Lady Rias Gremory he believed he'd left Tsukune, Moka, Joseph and Kurumu sharing cookies and heading to their morning class. From what he had no idea of is the amount of troubles they will had to deal with that day. After reaching their homeroom they took different seats than the day before and ended up all next to each other. Tsukune chose to sit next to the window, he'd always liked sitting beside one when he attended human schools. Moka took her seat behind Tsukune; she wanted to sit by his side but Joseph won the place mainly because he did not want to be next to Kurumu, who ended up sitting behind Joseph and next to Moka mainly because now she considered them her first real friends at school. He hadn't completely forgiven the succubus; the truth was that he hadn't anything against her but didn't like at all that she had used him that way.
"Before you go I have an announcement for you!" Ms. Nekonome said when she heard the bell that indicate the end of the class. "In order to understand the human culture a little better you need to join a club! That's why the rest of your classes are cancelled for today. Oh, and don't forget to visit the newspaper club since I'm their teacher advisor".
A lot of growls were heard in the classroom, maybe by the fact of joining a club or perhaps by the idea of having to do to coexist with weak humans in their world.
"Does being in a club is mandatory?" Joseph asked when most of the students were gone.
"Actually it is. If a student hasn't joined one by the end of the week is in risk of being expelled" the teacher answered. "See you tomorrow and have a nice day!" and with that Ms. Nekonome left the classroom.
"Oh well, if the clubs are meant for you to understand the humans better I hope there at least one where I can go in" Tsukune whispered. They hadn't thought telling about Tsukune's human condition to Kurumu just yet; they needed more time to know her better.
"I'm sure there will be a lot to pick from" Moka said. "Say Tsukune, can we find one where the two of us can enter together?" she asked while blushing a little.
"Um... s-sure!" the human answered. Both of them look into each other eyes and they began a kind of loop, much like they did the day before.
"Oh Tsukune"
"Oh Moka"
"Oh Tsukune"
"Oh Moka"
"Do you mind if I join you?" Joseph asked.
"No, of course not" Moka said after she regained her senses. "Let's find a club where the three of us can get in".
Tsukune was happy because he could be with his only friends and even happier because he could spend more time with Moka. However he noticed that Kurumu was too quiet in her seat.
"Do you want to come with us?" he asked her kindly, getting the attention of the succubus. She looked at him and smiled
"No it's okay, I'll be fine by myself". But Joseph wasn't so sure about her intentions.
"And what exactly are you going to do? Will you try charm all the guys you see again?" the blonde asked sarcastically.
"Ah, h-how can you say that?!" Kurumu said as if insulted.
"So you don't deny it?... funny" Joseph said grinning.
"Well... I still have to find my Destined One, remember?. Besides I won't charm too many as last time" she said while smiling weakly.
"Just take it easy, will you?" Tsukune said.
"I'll try. See you later" the succubus said and left the classroom.
"We better go too. Come on Tsukune" Moka said as she grabbed Tsukune's arm and practically dragged him out of the classroom, leaving behind a confused Joseph.
"Those two are going to end up together. I just know it" he chuckled.
-Academy Grounds-
The three friends started to walk the huge central courtyard, which was prepared for the occasion with school clubs ready to welcome potential new members. Unfortunately none of them seemed to be appropriate for a human to join.
"You got to be kidding me!" Joseph said in frustration. "The last clubs we visited wanted Moka to drink some strange potions or take her pictures to make sure there was no ghost behind her, and this last one... I didn't even know you could make an explosive with a sock, a fuse and a bit of powdered milk"
"How it is that they allow students making bombs there? And what they can be possibly doing in the Mummy Club?" Tsukune asked, who at this point was starting to worry about not being able to be with Moka in a club.
"I'm sure there's something we can do together" the vampire assure him. Suddenly a commotion was heard near them.
"What's that about?" Joseph asked. When they turned to look found that it was a crowd around the pool area. Oddly enough, most of those who were there were boys.
"T-the pool?" Moka said a little scared.
"Welcome to the Swim Club!" a girl in swimsuit announced. The boys in the crowd cheered for her and began signing up with the girl in charge of admissions.
"You won't regret! Right now we are only girls in the club but we'll make you feel welcome here!" another girl said.
"Now THAT'S a great strategy to attract people. How clever" Joseph said. Tsukune was delighted by the idea of seeing Moka in swimsuit so it might not be such a bad idea to go and see this club and consider the possibility of joining to it. 'Better than seeing Moka every day in a club... is seeing Moka every day in a club wearing swimsuit. Besides I hope I can impress her with my swimming skills' the human thought.
"Why don't we check it out?" he asked trying to hide his excitement.
"Oh.. but I.. eh.." Moka babbled a bit, trying to find a way to say something to him.
"Look who's already in the water" Joseph said interrupting the vampire's thoughts. When they looked more carefully noticed that there were three guys around a girl who was familiar for its distinctive blue hair. Only instead of her usual yellow sweater and skirt school, the succubus had chosen to wear a golden two-piece bikini. This, for obvious reasons, encouraged even more the present viewers.
"Kurumu is in this club!" a boy next to the trio commented.
"If she is here maybe is worth joining this club" other boy replied.
"Why I'm not surprised?" Joseph asked himself sarcastically.
"Well, this is the only "normal" club we've seen so far and Kurumu is here too so... why don't we enter this club?" Tsukune concluded much to Moka's shock.
"Tsukune... the truth is..." the vampire began to explain but was interrupted again, this time by one of the girls of the swim club.
"Oh you are Tsukune right?" she asked nicely. The girl had turquoise hair and dark brown eyes; she was wearing a purple two-piece bikini and a pair of golden hair clips. Since the trio had stopped to watch the pool she had her eye on Tsukune.
"My name is Tamao Ichinose and I'm the leader of the Swim Club. Why don't you come with me and I'll try to convince you to join the club?" the girl asked seductively. Tsukune didn't get a chance to reply because was practically dragged by Tamao away from his friends. "You'll need to put a swimsuit to get into the pool, sweetie". And with that the human was separated from the group, leaving a confused Joseph and a bit upset Moka behind.
-Pool Area-
Kurumu had reached the pool area a little before than the others and during all this time she had tried to charm some boys to see if any of them could be her Destined One. However, something wasn't right; despite the fact that there were at least twenty boys in the water and other fifteen on the edge of the pool, she couldn't attract more than four at the time.
"Mm, weird" she told herself. 'For some reason when I try to charm the fifth guy my head hurt. Should I let the others know?'. With this reasoning she looked among the crowd for her new friends but didn't find them immediately, until she recognize a blonde boy wearing a dark green swimming trunks, floating peacefully in a corner of the pool. 'Of course, from all of them it had to be him' she thought. She was aware that he didn't liked her, and perhaps he was right not to trust her. After all, she did hurt the three of them but the one she used in order to get what she wanted was Joseph. 'I guess I'll have to earn his trust huh?'. With this determination she swam to where the blond was and when he saw her, he received with his usual sarcasm.
"Ah Kurumu. Any of them was worth to be your Destined One?" Joseph asked.
"No" she replied sadly. "But that's not the point. I think something is going on here". Joseph glare at her with disbelief.
"Really? What makes you think that?" he asked.
"Usually I can charm at least ten guys at the same time but now my head hurts when I try to get the fifth one" the succubus answered a little concerned. Joseph couldn't help laughing a little.
"And you think something is weird just because you can't attract a few more boys? Don't you think you are overreacting?" the blond asked.
"You have to believe me, this never happened to me" she replied, lowering her head in defeat. Joseph sighed. Despite he didn't like her he couldn't stand seeing her that way.
"How it works?" he asked after a few minutes. Kurumu looked at him tilting her head.
"How what works?"
"The Destined One thing. You just see him and you know he is the one?" he asked curiously. Kurumu was surprised by the sudden change of subject but she was happy for having a friendly chat with him.
"Well, according to my mom, we are the ones that feel it first. If we spent time near our Destined One he will feel it too and both of us will be bounded forever" the succubus answered honestly. For the first time Joseph saw her like a friend and not only as "The girl that had used him". It was a nice change.
"Isn't that like... cheating?" he asked
"Huh?"
"I mean, if you and your mate are destined to be together, which is the point of meeting new people if you already know who will you end up with?" the blond said casually. It took Kurumu a while to answer that. She herself didn't know it but in the end she said what she thought was the best answer.
"I think finding my Destined One is very important... but the friends I make while I find him will be irreplaceable". Joseph looked at her and smiled. After a while, the blond tried to break the silence.
"Back to your current trouble with the guys... what you think it may be?" he asked while watching the pool area carefully.
"I don't know, usually I can attract them when they look into my eyes" Kurumu began to tell.
"Yeah, I know" he said remembering the day before.
"Sorry about that" she chuckled a little. "Anyway, when they do it I can control them but for some reason some it doesn't have any effect on some of them" the succubus said while she looked around, trying to find the cause.
"Maybe we should..." Joseph said before being interrupted by a boy yelling. Both of them recognized that voice from Tsukune.
"MOKA!"
When the turned, they saw Tsukune in swimming trunks being dragged away by some of the girls of the Swim Club and Moka ran away the pool still in her uniform. Joseph and Kurumu were confused to say the least, but they decided to find out what was going out.
"That's a new one. Those two are very close to each other, I don't think I ever saw them fight before" Joseph admitted.
"Are you serious? It's obvious she's upset because those girls take Tsukune away" Kurumu said. "I'll go talk to her. Why don't you tell Tsukune about vampires and water? I'm sure he will appreciate some advice"
"Yeah I think you're right" Joseph replied while getting out of the water and helped the succubus as well. They parted ways and went with their friends. 'It seem Kurumu was right. Something is doesn't feel right here'.
-Tsukune's side of the story-
The human boy was sitting on the edge of the pool thinking. He'd driven away Tamao by telling her he needed a few moments alone. Tamao smiled and told him not to take that long. The blond saw his friend and went to see what happened.
"Hey man, we saw Moka running away. Is everything ok?" Joseph asked curiously. Tsukune looked at him concerned.
"I don't know. I just wanted to spent time with her"
"I guess it was partly our fault" Joseph admitted. "Honestly I thought you knew it but I should've known that you were too shy to ask her"
"What are you talking about? Knew about what?" he asked intrigued, desperate for knowing what he has done wrong. Joseph chuckled a bit.
"Well, let's say that vampires and water don't get along too well. It's a weakness that they have been unable to overcome through generations" the blond explained.
"So it's not that she didn't wanted to swim with me... it's that she CAN'T swim with me!" he said relieved. Then turned to Joseph upset. "And how did you expect I knew that! YOU KNOW THAT I AM..." he said before being interrupted by his friend.
"A MUCH BETTER SWIMMER THAN I, YOU'RE RIGHT!" he said, making sure that the students near them heard him. Tsukune was confused but then he realized what he was about to say.
"You need to be more careful if you want to be in this school" Joseph reminded his human friend. After a moment in silence the blond speak again. "By the way, what was that about? Why did Moka leave?"
"I don't really know" Tsukune said a little concerned. "Do you think she's okay?"
"I bet she is" Joseph said. "Kurumu went to see how she was"
"You talked to Kurumu? I thought you didn't like her" Tsukune said surprised.
"Yeah, about that... I think I'll try and get to know her a little better if she'll be hanging out with us right?" the blond answered.
Before Tsukune could say anything about the change of attitude towards Kurumu, a few students near them suddenly submerged. A pair of fish-like tails raised in their place and disappeared just as fast after an instant.
"What the hell?" Tsukune said. Joseph felt a hand grabbing one of his ankles, therefore instinctively kicked off with his other leg. It must have worked since whatever it was let him go.
"We need to get out of the water" the blond suggested. "Everybody get out of the pool!" he announced.
"Don't go just yet, we're just starting" a voice that Tsukune recognized said.
"Tamao? Why are you doing this?!" he asked.
"Do you know her?" Joseph asked surprised. Tsukune nodded.
"She is the leader of the Swim Club"
"That's right... and let me tell you that your scent smells so good. It's almost like a human would be here" Tamao said.
"I don't know what you are talking about, I don't smell anything and believe me when I tell you I have a fine sense of smell" Joseph nervously said but after sniffing the air a little to prove his point his face went serious. "What I can smell is fish... weird"
"What are you talking about Joseph?" Tsukune asked.
"I think I know what's going on here" he said confidently. As if on cue a couple of girls began their transformation; their legs merged and a big fish tail replaced, their faces shifted and adopted fish traits. Surprisingly enough, their beauty didn't disappeared when the transformation ended.
"Mermaids" Joseph said while narrowed his eyes.
-Meanwhile, Kurumu's side of the story-
Behind the gym building a vampire was trying to recover from the damage the water did to her. A couple of water drops touched her while a girl of the Swim Club splashed at her for fun back in the pool. She was sitting on the ground and blue sparks occasionally run through her body. The pain was intense but she was starting to feel better.
'What were you thinking about?! You know that water is the last thing any vampire want to have close. And yet you went to the pool' Inner Moka scolded her.
'I just wanted to be in a club with Tsukune. I don't want to be a vampire anymore if that means I can't spend time with him' she thought.
'Tsukune isn't worthy. That weakling doesn't deserve us' her Inner self replied.
'Stop it!' she yelled in her mind. She was on the edge of tears, and she was right. It seemed that there was only one club suitable for a human like Tsukune and unfortunately it turned out that it was the only club that could potentially kill her. Before her inner debate could continue a voice caught her attention.
"Moka?"
"K-Kurumu?" she asked trying to wipe her tears. She hadn't had a chance to talk with Kurumu alone since yesterday but in that moment it didn't matter. She needed to talk whit someone about her troubles and expected she could listen to her.
"I know you must hate me for yesterday... but I want you to know that I'm here to support you" the succubus said with a slight smile. Moka remained in silence, therefore Kurumu thought the vampire was still mad at her and decided to give her some space. However when she was turning to leave, Moka spoke.
"I don't know what to do" she said. Kurumu look at her and sat next to her. "I don't think Tsukune considered what the water can do to my kind"
"And you told him how dangerous it is for you?" Kurumu asked.
"Well... no. I didn't had the time to do so" Moka answered and Kurumu smiled at this.
"There you go. You know, I may be a little unorthodox about love but trust me, I know about these things. Just open up with him. I told Joseph to go and talk with Tsukune and I believe right now he knows about you and water"
"You talked with Joseph? I thought he didn't like you" Moka said with surprise.
"I don't think he forgive me just yet. I just want to make amends with him" the succubus answered. "Why don't we go back at the pool and convince the boys to find another club"
Moka was happy to talk with Kurumu about this kind of things and felt guilty for not telling her about Tsukune's true nature. She hoped being able to do it soon.
"Okay, let's go" Moka nodded. And with that both girls stood up and went towards the pool area. However when they reached the pool, there was only chaos was there to see.
"What the hell happened here?!" Kurumu yelled.
-Pool Area; Noon-
In the water the mermaids had captured a few boys and on the edge of the pool the ones who managed to get out of the water were fleeing. When the girls arrived they could see Joseph, who was fighting with a mermaid near the water. Tsukune was nowhere to be seen.
"There is Joseph! I'll go to help him, you stay here" Kurumu said as she readied her claws and her wings and tail came out.
"But I must find Tsukune!" Moka replied. The succubus glare at her.
"Don't! If you are near the water you'll hurt yourself! I'll bring Joseph and we'll find him together" Kurumu said and went towards the blond.
"He must be around here" the vampire sighed.
The succubus reached Joseph just in time to push him and avoid a tail lash from the nearest mermaid.
"That was close" Kurumu said. The blond nodded. When they got up they positioned back to back, each of them facing two mermaids. Joseph extended his hand and his nails grew to form black claws of an inch long. Unlike Kurumu's nails, which were adapted to pierce her target, Joseph's claws were designed to cut through his preys.
"Wow, I didn't knew you had those" Kurumu said. Joseph grinned.
"Oh these. Yeah they are useful from time to time" he said.
A mermaid tried to attack Kurumu with her tail but failed as the succubus took flight behind and slashed her back. Kurumu decided to stay in the air for the time being. Joseph tried a more peaceful way to end the fight.
"How about we relax and try to enjoy the pool." he said without success. Both mermaids attacked at the same time, the one of the right with her claws and the other one tried to bite him. Joseph moved to the side, avoiding both of them and using his claws to counter. A few seconds later a mermaid fell into the water with a wounded stomach, and the other fell to the ground with her neck bleeding.
"Behind you!" Kurumu yelled from above. The girl that the succubus was supposed to take down went after the blond. Joseph turned to see the mermaid but he just stood there, just waiting. A slight light blue shine filled his eyes for less than a second and the temperature dropped lightly around him. The water, in combination with the cold, was enough for the mermaid to stop her attack and shivered, giving Joseph the time to stick his claws on her neck killing the girl instantly.
"Sorry girl" he muttered. 'Sorry sis, but she didn't gave me other choice'
'What the hell was that?! Just what is he?' Kurumu thought. She decided to ask about it later. Joseph looked for Moka but when he saw her his eyed widened.
"Moka don't do it!" he yelled, making the succubus see at the place she had left her friend. She was terrified by the sight.
"What are you doing! You'll die!" she screamed but it was in vain. The vampire was already in the water. While Joseph and Kurumu were fighting, Moka saw Tsukune being dragged to the bottom of the pool by a mermaid. She hesitated at first but after a moment she was determined to save his human friend. So she jumped into the water. Unfortunately, the vampire passed out half way through, prey of the pain. Tsukune saw her, swam towards her and managed to get the Rosario off her neck. Inner Moka awakened and took his hand to carry him out of the water, but she didn't seem very happy. In the meantime, the leader of the Swim Club, Tamao Ichinose went to the surface.
"Just give up already. The only way for a woman to get her man is by force!" Tamao said. Kurumu glared at her.
"That's not true you bitch!" she replied. "Just because that is the fastest way doesn't make it the right one"
"You know that you're contradicting yourself right?" Joseph said to the succubus, which make her flinch at the comment.
"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side!" Kurumu said.
"Enough with you two! Girls, get them" Tamao ordered to the rest of the Swim Club. Suddenly a bright purple light filled the water, surprising everyone on the pool. A girl who appeared to be Moka with silver hair and red blood eyes came out.
"How y-you dare to humiliate me!" she said. She was in pain from the water but did her best to keep calm.
"What are you talking about? Are you jealous because I took your little boyfriend?" Tamao said.
"I don't care about that weakling. But you will pay for ridicule me" Inner Moka said in a calm manner but her voice was filled in anger.
"Shut up, even if you are an S-Class monster we have the advantage of being in our element" the leader of the mermaids said.
"We'll see about that, you little fish" the vampire scoffed. Inner Moka jumped across the pool and landed on the other side, avoiding the tail lash from the other mermaids. 'If I recall correctly, the mermaids will lose the will to fight when their leader falls' she thought. She rushed towards Tamao and hit her gut with a powerful kick, sending the mermaid up in the air. The vampire was about to jump and finish her but was draining her energy too fast and the pain wasn't helping, so she fell to her knees. 'As soon as she touch the water she'll recover again. I can not allow that' she thought. But before she could do anything, a succubus went straight to Tamao with her claws piercing her back and pushing her to the ground.
"What on earth are you doing?" Inner Moka scolded her.
"You're welcome" Kurumu said with a smile. Tamao was unconscious after Joseph knock her out with a blow to her gut and the rest of the mermaids ran away from the pool area, leaving the four friends alone and giving them time to recover from the fight. Tsukune was still a little weak from being almost drown to death but managed to reach Inner Moka.
"Moka I'm so sor-" was all he could say before a hand slapped his cheek.
"I have nothing to say, you idiot! Get out of my way" she said and turned to leave.
"You made the other Moka cry" she said in anger as small blue sparks run through her body and went towards Joseph and Kurumu.
"And you." she snapped at them. "Try to interfere with my battles again and I will show you your places"
"Just get better will ya?" the blond say. Inner Moka stormed off the pool area, heading to the dorm building.
"Moka" Tsukune sighed. His two friend tried to comfort him.
"Don't worry. I'm sure she will forgive you by tomorrow" Kurumu said confidently. "Right Joseph?"
"You're kidding?! I don't think she-" he said before the succubus nudged him. "I mean, yeah, Moka will be the same as usual. You'll see"
"Yeah, I hope you're right" the human said in defeat and leave his friend behind.
"Are you happy now?" Kurumu said when Tsukune couldn't hear them anymore. Joseph flinched.
"Sorry about that. But I really hope she forgive him by tomorrow"
"Yeah, me too" she replied. After they got changed and went to the dorms Joseph spoke again.
"Now that I remember, do you think that the mermaids where the ones that didn't let you attract the guys from the pool?" he asked.
"Oh yeah, I guess it was the presence of all of them. I could easily beat one or two mermaids with my beauty" she stated proudly. Joseph chuckled.
"Yeah you keep telling yourself that" he replied.
-Class 1-C Homeroom; Two days later-
The class reached its end and Moka was nowhere to be seen for the last two days. But there was a little detail that apparently the four friends had forgotten and now Ms. Nekonome was reminding them about.
"But there wasn't enough time to see all the clubs" Kurumu whined. In the end she decided that the Swim Club wasn't the right club for her.
"You had four days to pass by. I know that you still have three more days to join one but if you don't mind, have you considered to check out the newspaper club?"
"Newspaper Club?" Joseph asked. "That actually doesn't sound that bad, what do you say man?". But the human wasn't in the mood for talking. Tsukune had been depressed all this time, wondering when will Moka forgive him... or if he will see her again. He was lost in his thoughts until a familiar and cheerful voice snapped him back to reality.
"That sound like fun!"
"Moka?" Tsukune said shocked.
"Where you'd been?" Kurumu asked, happy to see her friend again.
"I had to recover from the damage the water did to me" she explained.
"So you basically sleep for three days?!" Joseph asked.
"Yup" Moka said as if it was nothing. "So, Newspaper Club uh? You're joining too right Tsukune?"
"Of course. I'm so glad to see you're okay" he said with relief.
"Yay, now we won't have to close the Club for lack of new members" the teacher said cheerfully.
"Well then, I guess I'll be joining as well. How about you Kurumu?" Joseph asked.
"You bet blondy!" she replied.
"Hey! Where that came from?" he said shocked by the sudden nickname. And with that, the Newspaper Club was formed and all was set for a certain phoenix in the human world to come back any time soon. But unfortunately for the four friends math class was next and neither of them was especially happy for it to happen.
And that's all for today. Don't forget review and comment any ideas and thoughts you have. Have a nice day/night and see you next time :)